Exciting Hour
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| Exciting Hour | |
|---|---|
 Main Title screen-shot during attract mode for Exciting Hour |
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| Developer(s) | Technos Japan |
| Publisher(s) | Taito |
| Release date(s) | 1985 |
| Genre(s) | Wrestling |
| Mode(s) | 2 players, alternating turns |
| Platform(s) | Arcade |
| Input | 8-way joystick, 2 buttons |
Exciting Hour (Mat Mania in the US) is a Puroresu-themed arcade game developed by Technos Japan & published by Taito in 1985. The game is played by one or two players (alternating in turns.) It is recognized among game enthusiasts as the first of the genre to have achieved a high level of playability; it stands up well to modern games. Further, the game aesthetics, sprite concepts & design, in-game theme music, and comical presentation have lent well in preserving it as a beloved arcade classic.
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[edit] Plot & Presentation
The game is presented in the guise of a televised puroresu broadcast, the Taito Wrestling Association. The intro sequence and subsequent intermissions portray a disheveled Japanese pro-wrestling host, NARI, an archetypal, frenzied salariman. His hair is unkempt and his sleeves rolled up as he manically announces the particulars of the upcoming bout:
NARI announces an upcoming TWA match-up
sample excerpt:
"HELLO FOLKS. HERE WE HAVE TONIGHT SPECIAL EVENT............."YOU" VS................"INSANE WORRIER"
.............WELL, OKAY NOW? LET'S START!"
The player-controlled wrestler makes his way through the ranks of the TWA, combatting various thematically colorful opponents, before finally challenging the champion, in the 5th match. Upon ascending to the championship, the player-controlled wrestler is presented with a Champion belt in a presentation ceremony. The player-controlled wrestler must then defend the title against the previous 5 opponents, drawn at random.
[edit] Characters
PLAYER 1: The player-controlled wrestler. He sports shaggy brown hair and wears blue trunks and white boots. His assortment of maneouvres include: a Punch & a high Kick, and a charging Tackle from a standing position; from a Headlock, an Irish Whip, a Body Slam, a Piledriver, and a Vertical Suplex; upon a running opponent, a Back body drop, an Elbow Smash, a Clothesline or a Jumping Back Kick; upon a downed opponent, a running Body Splash, or, from a turnbuckle, a Body Splash or a Knee Drop. The player-controlled Wrestler is fashioned after common "Babyface" performers of the era.
INSANE WORRIER (sic) (spelt WARRIOR in Mat Mania): Fashioned after fanciful, dystopian Punk/Barbarian themed performers popular during the 80s (see: The Road Warriors, among other performers inspired by the 1981 film, The Road Warrior.) Characteristically, presented with a Mohawk hairstyle, loose-fitting black trousers and heavy make-up. Accordingly, his maneouvres are limited to unskilled clubbing blows and a Gorilla Press Body Slam. Also, unique from other opponents in that he pins the player-controlled wrestler using only one hand (befitting the character as an unskilled oaf.)
KARATE FIGHTER: A Martial Arts themed wrestler. His silken, Manchurian-style trousers and slippers would indicate a misnomer (Kung Fu Fighter seems more appropriate.) Typically, then, his maneouvres include fast, Kicking strikes, Jump Kicks, and Chops. His hair is shaggy and covers his face, which would suggest that the character concept is likely inspired by The Great Kabuki or, more loosely, Chopsocky stars generally, such as Bruce Lee or Bolo Yeung. This character concept was later adapted by Technos for the Chin Taimei character in the Double Dragon series. Interestingly, in the introductory sequence, he is depicted with what appear to be a set of Nunchaku; this weapon is not used during actual game-play.
COCO SAVEGE (sic) (spelt SAVAGE in Mat Mania): A "Wild Man" themed wrestler, clearly inspired by Bobo Brazil, a popular performer for Japan Wrestling Association in the late 60s and 70s (in fact, Bobo Brazil's finishing move was known as the Coco Headbutt.) Depicted wearing a Leopard skin and barefoot, he is unique from other opponents in that his attacking style is especially swift; he neither punches nor kicks, rather he is the only opponent to use the charging Tackle. His maneouvres include a Mongolian Chop and Gaint Swing Throw, as well as a Body Splash on a downed opponent.
THE PIRANIA: A masked "Rule-breaker" themed wrestler fashioned after various Mexican luchador performers popular in Puroresu of the era.
BLUES BLOODY (GOLDEN HULK in Mat Mania): The TWA World Champion, clearly inspired by famed All Japan Pro Wrestling star, Bruiser Brody. For the purposes of US licencing, renamed as GOLDEN HULK in Mat Mania, likely to exploit the popular appeal of Hulk Hogan in that market.
[edit] Trivia
- At the crowd, you can see:
- Superman
- Batman & Robin
- ZZ Top
- Popeye
- Alien
- Stevie Wonder
- John Travolta
- The Jackson Five
- Marshmallow Man, from Ghostbusters
- Darth Vader and Princess Leia, from Star Wars
[edit] Mania Challenge
Taito releases a game called Vs. Mania Challenge for two players and added HURRICANE JOE as player two. Hurricane Joe wears red turnks and black boots and shares the same moves as Dynamite Tommy. Also, the sequel allowed players to counter headlocks with either a back suplex or an atomic drop.
